Boot Cover

ABSTRACT

A boot cover for covering a boot. There is: a rectangular leg member, having a first zipper portion and a second zipper portion, wherein the rectangular leg member is removably coupled to a leg portion of a boot by zipping the first zipper portion to the second zipper portion; and a conical foot member, having a conical circumference, wherein a portion of the conical circumference is coupled to a portion of the rectangular leg member, creating a heel hole thereby. The conical foot member is removably coupled to a foot portion of a boot by insertion of the foot portion of the boot. There is a locking mechanism to lock the zipper portions. The locking mechanism comprises a clasp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to covering shoes, specifically todecorative covers for boots.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of footwear, wearers differ in individual tastes, sizes,and financial resources. Purchasing many different shoes or boots, tomatch different outfits, can be expensive and/or burdensome. Therefore,there exists a need for wearers to have the ability to customize theirfootwear to their individual needs.

In the related art, it has been known to use footwear covers forchanging the appearance of footwear. However, there is a need for bootcovers which are: ornate, easily attached, flexible, adjustable,inexpensive, easily stored, and/or secure. Some improvements have beenmade in the field. Examples include but are not limited to thereferences described below, which references are incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,564, issued to Kettner, discloses a show having aremovable cover for the upper is disclosed. The cover is removablysecured to the unfinished shoe upper by hook and loop fastener strips onthe lower parts of the cover and shoe upper adjacent to the line wherethe upper joins the sole of the shoe. The lower edges of the cover areconcealed by a vertical strip about the periphery of the sole.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,022, issued to Cohn, discloses a decorative boothaving interchangeable tubular decorative components adapted to liesubstantially smoothly on the outer surface of the boot between the topof the boot and the ankle portion so as to leave the heel and toeportions uncovered.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,759, issued to Mascotte, discloses a shoe coveringmember comprises a covering member having a shape conforming to an uppersection of a shoe over which it is to cover. A bottom section of thecovering member is sealingly engaged with a sole of the shoe and thecovering member is provided with a fold at its rear end which isfastened in a folded condition to snugly engage the upper section of theshoe.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2002/0066208, by Hall,discloses a cover for an athletic shoe includes an elastic fabric uppermember sized to snugly conformally fit over an athletic shoe covering atleast the mid-foot region of a shoe upper portion and extending aboveand encircling the wearer's ankle. An elastic lower member extends underat least a portion of the shoe sole spanning the inboard and outboardside panels of the upper member without covering the gripping surfacesof the shoe sole. A zipper is provided in the fabric upper member toform an openable seam enabling the wearer to remove the athletic shoeand attach the cover on the wearer's foot without removing the coverfrom the shoe.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2003/0177664, by Monassebian,discloses the present invention relates to ladies accessories. Moreparticularly it relates to footwear and handbags having interchangeableportions. The object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsecuring method adapted to various interchangeable portions, so that theappearance of footwear and handbags may be changed quickly and easily byreplacing only the interchangeable portion of said footwear andhandbags.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D287,063, issued to Kohno, discloses the ornamentaldesign for a side panel for a shoe.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include: not being ornate, not being easy to attach, not beingflexible, not being adjustable, being expensive, being difficult tostore, and/or not being secure

What is needed is a boot cover that solves one or more of the problemsdescribed herein and/or one or more problems that may come to theattention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with thisspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable boot covers. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide a boot cover for covering boots.

In one embodiment, there is a boot cover for covering a boot, including:a rectangular leg member, removably coupleable to a leg portion of aboot, and/or having: a first zipper portion, substantially along a firstedge of the rectangular leg member; and/or a second zipper portion,substantially along a second edge of the rectangular leg member oppositethe first edge of the rectangular leg member, wherein the rectangularleg member may be removably coupled to a leg portion of a boot byzipping the first zipper portion to the second zipper portion; and/or aconical foot member, coupled to the rectangular leg member, removablycoupleable to a foot portion of a boot, and/or having: a conicalcircumference, wherein a portion of the conical circumference may becoupled to a portion of a third edge of the rectangular leg member,creating a heel hole thereby.

In another embodiment, the conical foot member may be removably coupledto a foot portion of a boot by insertion of the foot portion of the bootinto the conical foot member. In yet another embodiment, the boot coverincludes: a locking mechanism, coupled near the first edge of therectangular leg member near a first top of the first zipper portion,coupled near the second edge of the rectangular leg member near a secondtop of the second zipper portion, and/or configured to lock the firstzipper portion and/or the second zipper portion. In still anotherembodiment, the locking mechanism may be a clasp.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a boot cover, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, orcomponent parts of the same or different illustrated invention.Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, fortwo or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features arerelated, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,”or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optionalfeatures, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.

Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of anyother statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identicallanguage characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodimentis identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment isindependent of any other embodiments characterized by the language“another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to beable to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claimsand/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly orexplicitly.

Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, doesnot appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, suchas is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience forthe reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this applicationto incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like,at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible andappropriate.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

Looking to the Figures, there is a boot cover 100 for covering a boot105. The boot cover 100 has a rectangular leg member 102 and a conicalfoot member 112. The rectangular leg member 102 has a first edge 106, asecond edge 110, and a third edge 116. Coupled to the first edge 106 andthe second edge 110 are a first zipper portion 104 and a second zipperportion 108, respectively. Also illustrated is a locking mechanism 120near a first top 122 of the first zipper portion 104, and near a secondtop 124 of the second zipper portion 108. The locking mechanism 120 maybe any known in the art, such as a clasp, for example. In otherembodiments, the cover may include a slit 103 in the boot cover 100,thereby exposing a heel of the boot to enhance or alter the aestheticdesign and appearance of the boot 105.

In operation, the rectangular leg member 102 is removably coupled to aleg portion (not shown) of a boot (not shown) by zipping the firstzipper portion 104 to the second zipper portion 108. Additionally,zipping of the first zipper portion 104 and the second zipper portion108 may be locked into place by the locking mechanism 120.

Also, according to the Figures, the conical foot member 112 has aconical circumference 114. As shown, a portion of the conical footmember 112 is coupled to a portion of the third edge 116, creating aheel hole 118 thereby. In operation, the conical foot member 112 isremovably coupled to a foot portion (not shown) of a boot by insertionof the foot portion of the boot into the conical foot member 114.Accordingly, the conical foot member 114 wraps around the entire footportion, including a sole (not shown) of the foot portion. A heelportion 105 of a boot may also be inserted through the heel hole 118,thereby exposing a heel 103 of the boot to enhance or alter theaesthetic design and appearance of the boot.

In operation, a wearer selects a boot cover 100 for covering a boot. Awearer inserts a foot portion of the boot into a conical foot member 112of the boot cover 100, so that the conical foot member 112 wraps arounda sole of the foot portion. Additionally, a wearer may insert a heelportion of the boot through a heel hole 118. Then, a wearer wraps arectangular leg member 102 of the boot cover 100 around a leg portion ofthe boot, and zips a first zipper portion 104 to a second zipper portion108. Finally, the wearer may secure the zipped first zipper portion 104,and second zipper portion, by locking with a clasp 120.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the boot cover 100 is for covering a boot, theboot cover 100 may also be for covering any footwear known in the art,such as, but not limited to: sneakers, slippers, skates, pumps, sandals,and flip-flops.

Additionally, although the Figures illustrate a conical foot member 112with a pointed end opposite the conical circumference 114, the end ofthe conical foot member 112 may have any shape known in the art, such asround, or square, for example.

Also, although the Figures show that the first edge 106 and the secondedge 110 of the rectangular leg member 102 couple by zipping 104, 108,the first edge and the second edge 110 may couple by any couplingmechanism known in the art. Some non-limiting examples of couplingmechanisms include: clasps, ties, adhesives, snaps, and hook and loop.

It is also envisioned that the boot cover 100 could be flexible, and/orelastic, for adjustably covering a variety of different boots, and/orfor storage of the boot covers 100.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design ofthis invention. An example is that the rectangular leg member 102 couldhave any height to accommodate a variety of tastes. For example, therectangular leg member could be ankle-high, calf-high, or knee-high.

Another example is that the boot cover 100 could be colored. Somenon-limiting examples of colors include: red, brown, and/or black.

Furthermore, the heel hole 118 could be of any shape or size toaccommodate a heel portion of a boot. For example the heel hole 118could be square, round, oblong, chevron, rectangular, or trapezoidal.The heel hole 118 could also have a diameter of one, two, or threeinches, for example.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may beconstructed of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to:leather, vinyl, plastic, rubber, metal, cotton, nylon, and/or polyester.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

1. A boot cover for covering a boot, comprising: a) a rectangular legmember, removably coupleable to a leg portion of a boot, and having: a1)a first zipper portion, substantially along a first edge of therectangular leg member; and a2) a second zipper portion, substantiallyalong a second edge of the rectangular leg member opposite the firstedge of the rectangular leg member, wherein the rectangular leg memberis removably coupled to a leg portion of a boot by zipping the firstzipper portion to the second zipper portion; and b) a conical footmember, coupled to the rectangular leg member, removably coupleable to afoot portion of a boot, and having: b1) a conical circumference, whereina portion of the conical circumference is coupled to a portion of athird edge of the rectangular leg member, creating a heel hole thereby.2. The boot cover of claim 1, wherein the conical foot member isremovably coupled to a foot portion of a boot by insertion of the footportion of the boot into the conical foot member.
 3. The boot cover ofclaim 2, further comprising: a) a locking mechanism, coupled near thefirst edge of the rectangular leg member near a first top of the firstzipper portion, coupled near the second edge of the rectangular legmember near second a top of the second zipper portion, and configured tolock the first zipper portion and the second zipper portion.
 4. The bootcover of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a clasp.
 5. Aboot cover for covering a boot, consisting essentially of: a) arectangular leg member, removably coupleable to a leg portion of a boot,and having: a1) a first zipper portion, substantially along a first edgeof the rectangular leg member; and a2) a second zipper portion,substantially along a second edge of the rectangular leg member oppositethe first edge of the rectangular leg member, wherein the rectangularleg member is removably coupled to a leg portion of a boot by zippingthe first zipper portion to the second zipper portion; and b) a conicalfoot member, coupled to the rectangular leg member, removably coupleableto a foot portion of a boot, and having: b1) a conical circumference,wherein a portion of the conical circumference is coupled to a portionof a third edge of the rectangular leg member, creating a heel holethereby.
 6. The boot cover of claim 5, wherein the conical foot memberis removably coupled to a foot portion of a boot by insertion of thefoot portion of the boot into the conical foot member.
 7. The boot coverof claim 6, wherein the first zipper portion and the second zipperportion comprise a locking mechanism.
 8. The boot cover of claim 7,wherein the locking mechanism is a clasp.